Cullen immediately turns Cockhill attention towards ‘massive’ FAI Senior Cup outing

Gavin Cullen says Cockhill Celtic will have to find top gear if they’re to defeat Dublin outfit Ayrfield United in Sunday’s hugely anticipated FAI Senior Cup tussle at Maginn Park. 

The recently crowned national Junior champions added another piece of silverware to the cabinet at the weekend as they picked up the Clubsman Shirts League Cup at the expense of Greencastle FC. 

Cockhill were cruelly denied FAI Intermediate glory last term when Rockmount broke Celtic hearts with a 4-3 penalty shootout win at the Showgrounds, Sligo. 

Cullen’s side went a long way to banishing those memories a fortnight ago when they downed Gorey Rangers, in dramatic fashion, with penalty kicks once again deciding matters. 

But as the dust settled on a comprehensive 5-0 rout of Greencastle on Saturday, the boss was already looking forward to the visit of Ayrfield. 

“Last week was a big week for the boys,” he said after. So I suppose that was the only real question mark hanging over us - what were the legs going to be like? Obviously, we celebrated what was a fantastic achievement. 

“But you could see how much they wanted it today, they were excellent. For the 90 minutes, we totally dominated that game. They did everything we asked. The fitness levels were excellent”. 

It took Cockhill until the last seconds of added time at the end of the first period to make the breakthrough as Lee McColgan headed home. 

But with the same player netting a second soon after the restart, Greencastle’s docket was well and truly punched. 

“Once we got the first goal we pushed right on. We’re delighted with the result and more so the performance. Scoring before and right after half-time, that sort of sank them. It left it hard for Greencastle. 

“And Greencastle are a very good side with some really good players. That’s why today was so pleasing. We were at it from the very off”. 

As well as next weekend’s huge FAI Senior Cup outing, Cockhill are also looking forward to the Donegal Signs Challenge Cup decider where they’ll battle Buncrana Hearts. Having relieved Gary Duffy’s men of their Premier Division title in recent weeks, that encounter is sure to pack some heat. 

“It’s great at this stage of the season to be involved in big fixtures and finals of competitions,” Cullen explained. 

“As a footballer, you wouldn’t want it any other way. We are privileged to be in this position. We also have a huge FAI Senior Cup game next weekend. 

“Again, the preparation will be much the same. We’ll enjoy this, recover and go again during the week”. 

The 20 clubs that feature in the FAI Cup first round draw consist of the last 16 teams from the 2023/24 FAI Intermediate Cup and the final four clubs from the 2023/24 FAI Junior Cup which, of course, includes Cockhill Celtic.  

League of Ireland clubs will enter the competition in the second round of the competition. Cullen says it’s a level that will ask serious questions of his side. 

“Every time we go out onto a football field we want to win. The FAI Senior Cup or not, we’re up against an Intermediate side from Dublin so they’re going to possess real quality. But we’ll give it our all and we’ll need to be at our very best to win that match”.